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Influenza in children
Janienne Kondrich1, Michele Rosenthal
1Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
Insights
Influenza poses a significant global health risk to children, especially those with neurologic disorders. Early testing and treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors are crucial for high-risk pediatric patients, alongside effective influenza immunization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Global epidemiology of influenza
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Influenza infection represents a substantial global disease burden in children annually.
- Complications can arise in both healthy and chronically ill children from the virus or secondary bacterial infections.
- Neurologic and neuromuscular disorders significantly increase pediatric risk for severe influenza complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on the global burden of pediatric influenza.
- To outline clinical presentation, complications, diagnostics, and treatment strategies.
- To assess the role of immunization in pediatric influenza prevention.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of existing data.
- Analysis of clinical presentation and risk factors.
- Evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
- Assessment of vaccine effectiveness and safety in pediatric populations.
Main Results:
- Children with neurologic and neuromuscular disorders face a substantially higher risk of severe influenza complications.
- Oseltamivir treatment has no lower age limit for pediatric influenza cases.
- The quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine showed poor effectiveness in the 2016-2017 season and was not recommended.
- Influenza immunization is generally well-tolerated and effective in children.
Conclusions:
- Influenza significantly impacts global pediatric health, necessitating vigilance for complications.
- Prompt testing and treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors are recommended for high-risk children.
- Influenza vaccination remains a safe and effective strategy for pediatric disease prevention.
Purpose Of Review:
We review the current information and evidence available on the global burden of disease in the pediatric population, clinical presentation and complications, testing, treatment, and immunization.
Recent Findings:
In addition to multiple other risk factors for influenza complications, children with neurologic and neuromuscular disorders are significantly higher risk for serious complications. In practice, there is no lower age limit for children with influenza who can be treated with oseltamivir. The quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine was not recommended for use during the 2016-2017 season due to poor effectiveness.
Summary:
Influenza infection causes a significant burden of disease each year in the pediatric population worldwide. Both healthy and chronically ill children can fall prey to complications either due to the virus itself or secondary bacterial infection. Children within high-risk groups should be tested and treated with neuraminidase inhibitors. Immunization against influenza is well tolerated and effective.
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